About London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

London’s largest airport and one of the world’s busiest air transport hubs, London Heathrow Airport is situated to the west of central London and is linked to the city via public transport and road networks. Our London Heathrow Airport guide provides all of the necessary information about the facility, including details of terminal services, public transport access and nearby accommodation options.

Information:

Information desks are located in the arrivals areas of Terminals 2, 4 and 5, as well as in the departures area of Terminals 3 and 5. Help points equipped with airport maps and courtesy telephones are located throughout the terminals. Roving Passenger Ambassadors can also assist with queries.

Website:

Driving directions:

From central London, take the westbound A4 and then continue on the westbound M4. Terminals 2 and 3 can be reached via the M4 (junction 4), Terminal 4 is reached via the A312, and Terminal 5 can be accessed via the M25 (junction 14). All terminals are easily accessible from the M25, either from junction 14 (Terminals 4 and 5) or junction 15 (Terminals 2 and 3).

The total drive time from central London to the airport is approximately an hour, depending on the route and traffic levels.

Transfer between terminals:

Terminals 2 and 3 are within walking distance of each other and are connected via underground walkways. Transfers between Terminals 2 and 3, Terminals 4 (journey time: 8 minutes) and 5 (journey time: 12 minutes) are free on the Heathrow Express train or shuttle bus.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus:Numerous local buses (tel: +44 343 222 1234; www.tfl.gov.uk) stop at the central bus station (between Terminals 2 and 3) as well as at Terminals 4 and 5. At night, the N9 bus service operates to central London. Cash is not accepted on London buses, payment must be made with either contactless bank card or TFL Oyster Card. The standard single bus fare (any distance on the same bus) is £1.50.

Coach:Coaches connect London Heathrow Airport to more than 500 destinations throughout the United Kingdom. National Express (tel: +44 871 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.com) is the major service provider.

Taxi:London's licensed black cabs serve London Heathrow Airport and are available outside each terminal. Taxis can be booked in advance via Heathrow Taxis (tel: +44 203 637 9324; www.heathrowtaxis.org). The journey time to central London is around 60 minutes and the fare is approximately £45-£90, depending on traffic conditions.

Public transport rail:

Rail:The Heathrow Express (tel: +44 345 600 1515; www.heathrowexpress.com) non-stop train service links London Heathrow Airport to London Paddington Station every 15 minutes (journey time: 15-20 minutes; fare: £25). For national rail travel information, contact the 24-hour National Rail Enquiries line (tel: +44 845 748 4950; www.nationalrail.co.uk).

Underground:London Heathrow Airport is on the London Underground (tel: +44 343 222 1234; www.tfl.gov.uk) network. Separate stations for Terminals 2 and 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 are located on the Piccadilly Line, which can take passengers into central London (journey time: 50 minutes; fare: £6.00 – discounted when using an Oyster Card or contactless debit card).

Terminal facilities

Money:

There are numerous ATMs and bureaux de change facilities in all terminals (both pre- and post-security).

Food:

There are numerous restaurants, bars, fast-food outlets, coffee shops, pubs and sandwich bars throughout London Heathrow Airport. These include caviar and seafood bars in all terminals and a restaurant run by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey in Terminal 5.

Shopping:

There is a wide variety of shops in each terminal, including duty-free outlets (for those travelling outside the EU), electrical shops and newsagents. Those looking for the latest in fashion can peruse the various boutiques by British and international designers.

Luggage:

Left-luggage offices (tel: +44 20 8759 3344) can be found in each terminal, while lost property can be reclaimed from the Airport Lost Property Office (tel: +44 844 824 3115 (within UK) or +44 20 3761 1800 (international)) in Terminal 3. Baggage trolleys are available free of charge in baggage reclaim and other key areas.

Other:

Other facilities at London Heathrow Airport include multifaith prayer rooms in all terminals, a Christian chapel (close to Heathrow’s Central Bus Station), showers (in all Terminals), spas (in Terminal 5) and an art gallery (Terminal 5). There are pharmacies in all terminals: the chemists before security in Terminal 5 dispense prescriptions.

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

There are several airline, business and executive lounges in each terminal; but a larger number of lounges concentrate in Terminal 3 including No1 Lounges (tel: +44 8442 646440; no1lounges.com) which are open to all travellers for a fee.

Extensive meeting and conference facilities are offered by the larger hotels in and around the airport, including the Sofitel London Heathrow (tel: +44 20 8757 7777; www.sofitel.com) at Terminal 5.

Communication Facilities:

Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout London Heathrow Airport; fixed internet terminals are also available. There is a post office in Terminal 3; postboxes and stamps are available in every terminal. Card- and coin-operated public telephones can be found in the main areas of each terminal and mobile telephone charging kiosks are located in the check-in hall and departure lounges.

Disabled facilities:

Special assistance (tel: :+44 344 335 1000) is available for disabled passengers at various help points throughout the terminal buildings and car parks. Passengers requiring wheelchairs should contact the individual airlines prior to travel; porters are available to help with wheelchair and baggage assistance.

Among the facilities are wheelchair-accessible telephones, reserved seating and disabled toilets in all terminals, while disabled car parking is also available at designated spaces. Text telephones, induction loops and a Minicom information line are available for the hearing impaired.

A wheelchair-accessible bus service operates between all terminals and the central bus station. The Heathrow Express, black cabs and many bus and coach operators provide facilities for wheelchairs.

Car parking:

There is a range of car parking options at London Heathrow Airport. Each terminal has its own short-stay car park: this option is recommended for stays of up to five hours. Long-stay car parks are offered by the airport as well as private operators, such as NCP (tel: +44 345 050 7080; www.ncp.co.uk) and from the Airport Parking site (www.airport-parking.org.uk) – these car parks are linked to the terminals by a courtesy shuttle bus. Bookings for short- and long-stay parking can be made via the airport website (tel: +44 344 335 1000; www.heathrowairport.com).

Business and valet parking (which is available at each terminal) is also bookable through the airport's website. Motorbikes and electric cars can park free of charge in designated areas at each terminal.

Car rental:

Car hire companies represented at London Heathrow Airport include: Alamo, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Sixt. Desks for these operators can be found on the arrivals level of each terminal.